Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in St. Matthews?

To afford a 2-bedroom in St. Matthews, you need to earn at least $51,000/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $35,950, which means the typical resident is $15,050 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 1,932

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$893	$2,977	$35,720	$-230
1 Bedroom	$1,058	$3,527	$42,320	+$6,370
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,275	$4,250	$51,000	+$15,050
3 Bedroom	$1,556	$5,187	$62,240	+$26,290
4 Bedroom	$1,913	$6,377	$76,520	+$40,570

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above St. Matthews's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$35,950

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$51,000

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$15,050

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 42.6%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in St. Matthews

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with St. Matthews's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$899

Studio

$893/mo

1 BR

$1,058/mo

2 BR

$1,275/mo

3 BR

$1,556/mo

4 BR

$1,913/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in St. Matthews.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for St. Matthews's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to St. Matthews

Renting in St. Matthews is unaffordable for most median earners. The $15,050 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,275/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to St. Matthews, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $893/month, which requires $35,720/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$638/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable South Carolina city.

To live comfortably in St. Matthews without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $76,500 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for South Carolina's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in St. Matthews, South Carolina.

With a total population of 1,932, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 647 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $51,000 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

647

Active civilian employees in St. Matthews

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in St. Matthews

What salary do I need to live in St. Matthews, South Carolina?

To afford a 2-bedroom in St. Matthews under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $51,000. The median household income in St. Matthews is $35,950.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in St. Matthews on $35,950?

The affordability verdict for St. Matthews is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 42.6%, meaning there's a $15,050 income gap.

What is the average rent in St. Matthews compared to median income?

The median gross rent in St. Matthews is $1,058/month. With a median household income of $35,950, residents spend approximately 42.6% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in St. Matthews?

A studio in St. Matthews rents for approximately $893/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $35,720 to afford this.

Is St. Matthews considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $15,050 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", St. Matthews is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $51,000 to the local median household income.

How St. Matthews Compares

Other cities in South Carolina with salary requirements